De Cinnamon Wild is genoemd als een eerbetoon aan het omliggende Yala National Park en grenst aan het park als verlengstuk ervan. het park. Cinnamon Wild Yala opende zijn deuren na een uitgebreide re-constructie en renovatie als een game lodge waar de kamers rustieke buitenkant hebben met comfortabele interieurs. Het hoofdrestaurant biedt zowel oosterse als westerse lekkernijen. Het observatiedek op de bovenste verdieping van het hotel biedt een uitzicht van 360 ° op het bos en de Indische Oceaan.
The jungle chalets are an integrated part of the untamed resort, making it one of the most intimate of the Yala National Park hotels, and keeping guests close to the wild. Guests can look out for the odd elephant or wild boar that passes by. Preserving and living in harmony with the nature that surrounds the resort is a core value. The rooms feel both rustic and luxurious because opting to be in the jungle doesn’t mean guests need to forego the comforts that make their stay a pleasant one.
Wooden stairways lead to beach chalets, where guests can stand on their private terrace as they gaze out on the Indian Ocean. A great place to watch an elephant pass by, perched on stilts and made entirely of wood, these chalets are elevated but still remain very much a part of the wild. Air conditioning, a flat-screen cable TV, hairdryer, personal safe, minibar and tea and coffee facilities ensure that guests don’t feel too remote.
Bar, Zakencentrum, Handicap Services, Zwembad, Restaurant, Spa
Air Conditioning, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Handicapvriendelijke Kamers, Haardroger, Strijkijzer / Strijkplank, Wasserette, Minibar, Kluis, Satelliet / Kabeltelevisie / TV, Thee / Koffie
A luxury 4x4 jeep or a super luxury 4x4 jeep can be arranged through Cinnamon Nature Trails while Canon telephoto lenses and other high-end camera gear can be hired if guests are keen photographers or would like to try their hand at wildlife photography. On availability, one of the in-house naturalists will play guide, accompanying guests to the park and away from the crowds. Guests will discover not only the elusive leopard but also be witness to the call of the wild. Full day safaris with packed meals can be arranged on request. The safari has a duration of a minimum of 3 hours.
The three largest lakes of Ruhuna — the ancient Kingdom of the South — are a vision of beauty, created by the Kings of the past. Guests will first stop at Debarawewa and meet the farmers and fisherman who sustain themselves with all that surrounds them. Next, move on to Tissa, where the water spreads for miles, bringing in a number of birds. Finally, arrive at Weerawila and hope for an encounter with a village boatman. This journey promises to be filled with a glimpse into rural village life, traditional cultivations, and even a visit to the local pottery manufacturer — where guests might try their hand at shaping some clay.
Using night vision goggles with infrared technology, the team at Nature Trails have created a ground-breaking excursion in Sri Lanka to offer guests an experience even late at night. The experience of conducting night safaris have been acquired by the work carried out by the team together with National Geographic in the recent past. The use of special infrared vision is to ensure that the wildlife will not be disturbed by the use of artificial lights, hence reducing our environmental footprint. This experience is a celebration of the nocturnal environment and its species trailing around the buffer zone of Yala National Park.
Guests will walk through a nature trail along the resort premises to observe all the mystical creatures and breathtaking views while they trek the unpaved paths and the scrub forest. During the excursion, a naturalist field guide will assist guests in discovering a variety of birds and animals and walk towards the beach by climbing down the great dunes that protected the location from the tsunami.
The Yala National Park is located amidst a rural village and its boundary has several hundred dairy farmers making a living. The craftiest predator, the leopard, often flicks young cattle and thus revenge attacks by farmers often create conflict. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts together with its team of in-house field naturalists deployed a conservation initiative namely, Project Leopard, to mitigate the issue. Thus far, over 55 steel pens have been donated to dairy farmers so that they can keep their livestock safe at night. As part of the project, guests are taken to meet a dairy farmer over a cup of Ceylon tea, assist him in his morning chores, help with the collection of milk, and enjoy the time spent in the surrounding areas of the Yala National Park.
The five lagoons of Bundala National Park play host to about 324 species of creatures, great and small. This vast area is ripe for exploration and filled with surprising new discoveries on every journey. It is also the home of about 197 species of bird, of which 58 are migratory.
Climbing the stairs to the rooftop bar is really going to be worth every guests' while. With panoramic views of the wilderness, ocean and lagoon, this is the best vantage point in the entire premises. If it’s a Yala sunset guests are looking for, then the Peacock is a great place to sip on cocktails as night falls over the wilderness. And for the photography buff, a quick morning walk upstairs will give you a great view of the rising sun.
Tuskers, Cinnamon Wild Yala’s main restaurant is located a floor above the reception, just high enough to meet the gaze of a tusker as he passes by. The outer decks pour out into some of the high trees strewn across the premises, letting guests dine on an excellent spread of Sri Lankan and continental cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner in true wild fashion. Succulent dishes and the constant call of the wild accompany guests' dining experience – it really doesn’t get better than this for the wildlife enthusiast.
Pugmarks Bar is a seamless extension of the surrounding wilderness. Located close to the reception area, it becomes a great place to meet up with other guests who have been out on safari all day. Guests can throw themselves into a big armchair when they return and exchange animated stories of their day at the park. Every international sports event also becomes a celebration when fellow travellers get drawn into the action on the big screen. For those looking for a quieter time, the afternoons and late nights are a great time too.
Guests can enjoy location dining experiences in the bush, outdoor picnics, as well as dining by the lake.